Method and apparatus for channel quality indicator (cqi) and channel state information (csi) reporting

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses for channel state information (CSI) and channel quality indicator (CQI) reporting. A UE includes a transceiver configured to receive configuration information for reporting the CSI and a processor operably connected to the transceiver. The processor is configured to decode the configuration information and calculate the CSI. The transceiver is further configured to transmit the CSI including the CQI. The configuration information includes a selection of a CQI table and a target block error rate (BLER). A base station (BS) includes a processor configured to generate configuration information for a CSI reporting and a transceiver operably connected to the processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit, to a UE, the configuration information and receive, from the UE, a CSI report that includes a CQI. The configuration information includes a selection of a CQI table and a BLER.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/052,457, filed Aug. 1, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/544,387 filed Aug. 11, 2017; andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/615,285 filed Jan. 9, 2018.The above-identified provisional patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for channel qualityindication (CQI) reporting.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication has been one of the most successful innovationsin modern history. The demand of wireless data traffic is rapidlyincreasing due to the growing popularity among consumers and businessesof smart phones and other mobile data devices, such as tablets, “notepad” computers, net books, eBook readers, and machine type of devices.To meet the high growth in mobile data traffic and support newapplications and deployments, improvements in radio interface efficiencyand coverage is of paramount importance.

A mobile device or user equipment can measure the quality of thedownlink channel and report this quality to a base station so that adetermination can be made regarding whether or not various parametersshould be adjusted during communication with the mobile device. Existingchannel quality reporting processes in wireless communications systemsdo not sufficiently accommodate reporting of channel state informationassociated with large, two dimensional array transmit antennas or, ingeneral, antenna array geometry which accommodates a large number ofantenna elements.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods andapparatuses for CQI reporting.

In one embodiment, a UE is provided. The UE includes a transceiver and aprocessor operably connected to the transceiver. The transceiver isconfigured to receive configuration information for reporting CSI. Theprocessor is configured to decode the configuration information andcalculate the CSI. The transceiver is further configured to transmit theCSI including a CQI. The configuration information includes a selectionof a CQI table and a target block error rate (BLER).

In another embodiment, a base station (BS) is provided. The BS includesa processor and a transceiver operably connected to the processor. Theprocessor is configured to generate configuration information for a CSIreporting. The transceiver is configured to transmit, to a UE, theconfiguration information and receive, from the UE, a CSI report thatincludes a CQI. The configuration information includes a selection of aCQI table and a BLER.

In yet another embodiment, a method for operating a UE is provided. Themethod includes receiving and decoding configuration information forreporting CSI. The method also includes calculating and transmitting theCSI including a CQI. The configuration information includes a selectionof a CQI table and a BLER.

The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5Gcommunication system to be provided for supporting higher data ratesBeyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long TermEvolution (LTE).

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it can beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivativesrefer to any direct or indirect communication between two or moreelements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with oneanother. The terms “transmit,” “receive,” and “communicate,” as well asderivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication.The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, meaninclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaningand/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof,means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, becontained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicablewith, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be boundto or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, orthe like. The term “controller” means any device, system or part thereofthat controls at least one operation. Such a controller can beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and/orfirmware. The functionality associated with any particular controllercan be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Thephrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means thatdifferent combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used,and only one item in the list can be needed. For example, “at least oneof: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, Aand B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented orsupported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed fromcomputer readable program code and embodied in a computer readablemedium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or morecomputer programs, software components, sets of instructions,procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or aportion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computerreadable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code”includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code,and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes anytype of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acompact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type ofmemory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired,wireless, optical, or other communication links that transporttransitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computerreadable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored andmedia where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as arewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughoutthis patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art shouldunderstand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply toprior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate example wireless transmit and receive pathsaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates an example user equipment according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates an example BS according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example beamforming architecture wherein oneCSI-RS port is mapped onto a large number of analog-controlled antennaelements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates examples of CSI reporting subband according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of CQI calculation andreporting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of CQI calculation for two-CW transmissionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of UCI mapping rule according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-E illustrate examples of one-part UCI mapping according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart for an example method wherein a UEreceives CSI reporting configuration information according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for an example method wherein a BSgenerates CSI reporting configuration information for a UE (labeled asUE-k) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 11, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure can beimplemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system.

List of Acronyms

-   -   2D: two-dimensional    -   MIMO: multiple-input multiple-output    -   SU-MIMO: single-user MIMO    -   MU-MIMO: multi-user MIMO    -   3GPP: 3rd generation partnership project    -   LTE: long-term evolution    -   UE: user equipment    -   eNB: evolved Node B or “eNB”    -   BS: base station    -   DL: downlink    -   UL: uplink    -   CRS: cell-specific reference signal(s)    -   DMRS: demodulation reference signal(s)    -   SRS: sounding reference signal(s)    -   UE-RS: UE-specific reference signal(s)    -   CSI-RS: channel state information reference signals    -   SCID: scrambling identity    -   MCS: modulation and coding scheme    -   RE: resource element    -   CQI: channel quality information    -   PMI: precoding matrix indicator    -   RI: rank indicator    -   MU-CQI: multi-user CQI    -   CSI: channel state information    -   CSI-IM: CSI interference measurement    -   CoMP: coordinated multi-point    -   DCI: downlink control information    -   UCI: uplink control information    -   PDSCH: physical downlink shared channel    -   PDCCH: physical downlink control channel    -   PUSCH: physical uplink shared channel    -   PUCCH: physical uplink control channel    -   PRB: physical resource block    -   RRC: radio resource control    -   AoA: angle of arrival    -   AoD: angle of departure

The following documents and standards descriptions are herebyincorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully setforth herein: 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 36.211 version 12.4.0,“E-UTRA, Physical channels and modulation” (“REF 1”); 3GPP TS 36.212version 12.3.0, “E-UTRA, Multiplexing and Channel coding” (“REF 2”);3GPP TS 36.213 version 12.4.0, “E-UTRA, Physical Layer Procedures” (“REF3”); 3GPP TS 36.321 version 12.4.0, “E-UTRA, Medium Access Control (MAC)Protocol Specification” (“REF 4”); 3GPP TS 36.331 version 12.4.0,“E-UTRA, Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification” (“REF 5”);3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.211 version 15.0.0, “NR, Physicalchannels and modulation” (“REF 6”); 3GPP TS 38.212 version 15.0.0, “NR,Multiplexing and Channel coding” (“REF 7”); 3GPP TS 38.213 version15.0.0, “NR, Physical Layer Procedures for Control” (“REF 8”); 3GPP TS38.214 version 15.0.0, “NR, Physical Layer Procedures for Data” (“REF9”); 3GPP TS 38.321 version 15.0.0, “NR, Medium Access Control (MAC)Protocol Specification” (“REF 10”); and 3GPP TS 38.331 version 15.0.0,“NR, Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification” (“REF 11”).

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased sincedeployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made todevelop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5Gor pre-5G communication system is also called a ‘Beyond 4G Network’ or a‘Post LTE System’.

The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in higherfrequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands, so as to accomplish higherdata rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increasethe transmission distance, the beamforming, massive multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO), Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna,an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques are discussed in5G communication systems.

In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system networkimprovement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud RadioAccess Networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D)communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperativecommunication, Coordinated Multi-Points (CoMP), reception-endinterference cancellation and the like.

In the 5G system, Hybrid FSK and QAM Modulation (FQAM) and slidingwindow superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation(ACM), and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multipleaccess (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advancedaccess technology have been developed.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network 100 according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wirelessnetwork 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodimentsof the wireless network 100 could be used without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

The wireless network 100 includes a base station (BS) 101, a BS 102, anda BS 103. The BS 101 communicates with the BS 102 and the BS 103. The BS101 also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network130, such as the Internet, a proprietary IP network, or other datanetwork. Instead of “BS”, an option term such as “eNB” (enhanced Node B)or “gNB” (general Node B) can also be used. Depending on the networktype, other well-known terms can be used instead of “gNB” or “BS,” suchas “base station” or “access point.” For the sake of convenience, theterms “gNB” and “BS” are used in this patent document to refer tonetwork infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remoteterminals. Also, depending on the network type, other well-known termscan be used instead of “user equipment” or “UE,” such as “mobilestation,” “subscriber station,” “remote terminal,” “wireless terminal,”or “user device.” For the sake of convenience, the terms “userequipment” and “UE” are used in this patent document to refer to remotewireless equipment that wirelessly accesses an gNB, whether the UE is amobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normallyconsidered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vendingmachine).

The gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for afirst plurality of user equipments (UEs) within a coverage area 120 ofthe gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs includes a UE 111, which can belocated in a small business (SB); a UE 112, which can be located in anenterprise (E); a UE 113, which can be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); aUE 114, which can be located in a first residence (R); a UE 115, whichcan be located in a second residence (R); and a UE 116, which can be amobile device (M) like a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA,or the like. The gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to thenetwork 130 for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area 125 ofthe gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs includes the UE 115 and the UE116. In some embodiments, one or more of the gNBs 101-103 cancommunicate with each other and with the UEs 111-116 using 5G, LTE,LTE-A, WiMAX, or other advanced wireless communication techniques.

Dotted lines show the approximate extents of the coverage areas 120 and125, which are shown as approximately circular for the purposes ofillustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood thatthe coverage areas associated with gNBs, such as the coverage areas 120and 125, can have other shapes, including irregular shapes, dependingupon the configuration of the gNBs and variations in the radioenvironment associated with natural and man-made obstructions.

As described in more detail below, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, andgNB 103 transmit measurement reference signals to UEs 111-116 andconfigure UEs 111-116 for CSI reporting as described in embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In various embodiments, one or more of UEs111-116 receive Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) andtransmit Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless network 100,various changes can be made to FIG. 1. For example, the wireless network100 could include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in anysuitable arrangement. Also, the gNB 101 could communicate directly withany number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband accessto the network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 could communicatedirectly with the network 130 and provide UEs with direct wirelessbroadband access to the network 130. Further, the gNB 101, 102, and/or103 could provide access to other or additional external networks, suchas external telephone networks or other types of data networks.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate example wireless transmit and receive pathsaccording to the present disclosure. In the following description, atransmit path 200 can be described as being implemented in a gNB (suchas gNB 102), while a receive path 250 can be described as beingimplemented in a UE (such as UE 116). However, it will be understoodthat the receive path 250 could be implemented in a gNB and that thetransmit path 200 could be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, thereceive path 250 is configured to receive CSI-RS and transmit SRS asdescribed in embodiments of the present disclosure.

The transmit path 200 includes a channel coding and modulation block205, a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 210, a size N Inverse FastFourier Transform (IFFT) block 215, a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block220, an ‘add cyclic prefix’ block 225, and an up-converter (UC) 230. Thereceive path 250 includes a down-converter (DC) 255, a ‘remove cyclicprefix’ block 260, a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 265, a size NFast Fourier Transform (FFT) block 270, a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S)block 275, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 280.

In the transmit path 200, the channel coding and modulation block 205receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such asconvolutional, Turbo, or low-density parity check (LDPC) coding), andmodulates the input bits (such as with Quadrature Phase Shift Keying(QPSK) or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequenceof frequency-domain modulation symbols. The S-to-P block 210 converts(such as de-multiplexes) the serial modulated symbols to parallel datain order to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the IFFT/FFTsize used in the gNB 102 and the UE 116. The size N IFFT block 215performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generatetime-domain output signals. The P-to-S block 220 converts (such asmultiplexes) the parallel time-domain output symbols from the size NIFFT block 215 in order to generate a serial time-domain signal. The‘add cyclic prefix’ block 225 inserts a cyclic prefix to the time-domainsignal. The UC 230 modulates (such as up-converts) the output of the‘add cyclic prefix’ block 225 to an RF frequency for transmission via awireless channel. The signal can also be filtered at baseband beforeconversion to the RF frequency.

A transmitted RF signal from the gNB 102 arrives at the UE 116 afterpassing through the wireless channel, and reverse operations to those atthe gNB 102 are performed at the UE 116. The DC 255 down-converts thereceived signal to a baseband frequency, and the ‘remove cyclic prefix’block 260 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domainbaseband signal. The serial-to-parallel block 265 converts thetime-domain baseband signal to parallel time domain signals. The size NFFT block 270 performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallelfrequency-domain signals. The parallel-to-serial block 275 converts theparallel frequency-domain signals to a sequence of modulated datasymbols. The channel decoding and demodulation block 280 demodulates anddecodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

As described in more detail below, the transmit path 200 or the receivepath 250 can perform signaling for CSI reporting. Each of the gNBs101-103 can implement a transmit path 200 that is analogous totransmitting in the downlink to UEs 111-116 and can implement a receivepath 250 that is analogous to receiving in the uplink from UEs 111-116.Similarly, each of UEs 111-116 can implement a transmit path 200 fortransmitting in the uplink to gNBs 101-103 and can implement a receivepath 250 for receiving in the downlink from gNBs 101-103.

Each of the components in FIGS. 2A and 2B can be implemented using onlyhardware or using a combination of hardware and software/firmware. As aparticular example, at least some of the components in FIGS. 2A and 2Bcan be implemented in software, while other components can beimplemented by configurable hardware or a mixture of software andconfigurable hardware. For instance, the FFT block 270 and the IFFTblock 215 can be implemented as configurable software algorithms, wherethe value of size N can be modified according to the implementation.

Furthermore, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. Other types of transforms, such as Discrete FourierTransform (DFT) and Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) functions,could be used. It will be appreciated that the value of the variable Ncan be any integer number (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or the like) for DFT andIDFT functions, while the value of the variable N can be any integernumber that is a power of two (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or the like) forFFT and IFFT functions.

Although FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of wireless transmit andreceive paths, various changes can be made to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Forexample, various components in FIGS. 2A and 2B could be combined,further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be addedaccording to particular needs. Also, FIGS. 2A and 2B are meant toillustrate examples of the types of transmit and receive paths thatcould be used in a wireless network. Other suitable architectures couldbe used to support wireless communications in a wireless network.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example UE 116 according to the presentdisclosure. The embodiment of the UE 116 illustrated in FIG. 3A is forillustration only, and the UEs 111-115 of FIG. 1 could have the same orsimilar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety ofconfigurations, and FIG. 3A does not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure to any particular implementation of a UE.

The UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver310, transmit (TX) processing circuitry 315, a microphone 320, andreceive (RX) processing circuitry 325. The UE 116 also includes aspeaker 330, a processor 340, an input/output (I/O) interface 345, aninput 350, a display 355, and a memory 360. The memory 360 includes anoperating system (OS) program 361 and one or more applications 362.

The RF transceiver 310 receives, from the antenna 305, an incoming RFsignal transmitted by a gNB of the wireless network 100 of FIG. 1. TheRF transceiver 310 down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate anintermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or basebandsignal is sent to the RX processing circuitry 325, which generates aprocessed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing thebaseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry 325 transmits theprocessed baseband signal to the speaker 330 (such as for voice data) orto the processor 340 for further processing (such as for web browsingdata).

The TX processing circuitry 315 receives analog or digital voice datafrom the microphone 320 or other outgoing baseband data (such as webdata, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from the processor 340.The TX processing circuitry 315 encodes, multiplexes, and/or digitizesthe outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IFsignal. The RF transceiver 310 receives the outgoing processed basebandor IF signal from the TX processing circuitry 315 and up-converts thebaseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via theantenna 305.

The processor 340 can include one or more processors or other processingdevices and execute the OS program 361 stored in the memory 360 in orderto control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, processor340 could control the reception of forward channel signals and thetransmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver 310, theRX processing circuitry 325, and the TX processing circuitry 315 inaccordance with well-known principles. In some embodiments, theprocessor 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

The processor 340 is also capable of executing other processes andprograms resident in the memory 360, such as operations for CSI-RSreception and measurement for systems described in embodiments of thepresent disclosure as described in embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The processor 340 can move data into or out of the memory360 as required by an executing process. In some embodiments, theprocessor 340 is configured to execute the applications 362 based on theOS program 361 or in response to signals received from gNBs or anoperator. The processor 340 is also coupled to the I/O interface 345,which provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devicessuch as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I/O interface 345is the communication path between these accessories and the processor340.

The processor 340 is also coupled to the input 350 (e.g., keypad,touchscreen, button etc.) and the display 355. The operator of the UE116 can use the input 350 to enter data into the UE 116. The display 355can be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of renderingtext and/or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites.

The memory 360 is coupled to the processor 340. Part of the memory 360could include a random access memory (RAM), and another part of thememory 360 could include a Flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

As described in more detail below, the UE 116 can perform signaling andcalculation for CSI reporting. Although FIG. 3A illustrates one exampleof UE 116, various changes can be made to FIG. 3A. For example, variouscomponents in FIG. 3A could be combined, further subdivided, or omittedand additional components could be added according to particular needs.As a particular example, the processor 340 could be divided intomultiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs)and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Also, while FIG. 3Aillustrates the UE 116 configured as a mobile telephone or smartphone,UEs could be configured to operate as other types of mobile orstationary devices.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example gNB 102 according to the presentdisclosure. The embodiment of the gNB 102 shown in FIG. 3B is forillustration only, and other gNBs of FIG. 1 could have the same orsimilar configuration. However, gNBs come in a wide variety ofconfigurations, and FIG. 3B does not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure to any particular implementation of a gNB. The gNB 101 andthe gNB 103 can include the same or similar structure as the gNB 102.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 370 a-370 n,multiple RF transceivers 372 a-372 n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry374, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 376. In certain embodiments,one or more of the multiple antennas 370 a-370 n include 2D antennaarrays. The gNB 102 also includes a controller/processor 378, a memory380, and a backhaul or network interface 382.

The RF transceivers 372 a-372 n receive, from the antennas 370 a-370 n,incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by UEs or other gNBs.The RF transceivers 372 a-372 n down-convert the incoming RF signals togenerate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are sent tothe RX processing circuitry 376, which generates processed basebandsignals by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the baseband or IFsignals. The RX processing circuitry 376 transmits the processedbaseband signals to the controller/processor 378 for further processing.

The TX processing circuitry 374 receives analog or digital data (such asvoice data, web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from thecontroller/processor 378. The TX processing circuitry 374 encodes,multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generateprocessed baseband or IF signals. The RF transceivers 372 a-372 nreceive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signals from the TXprocessing circuitry 374 and up-converts the baseband or IF signals toRF signals that are transmitted via the antennas 370 a-370 n.

The controller/processor 378 can include one or more processors or otherprocessing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102.For example, the controller/processor 378 could control the reception offorward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signalsby the RF transceivers 372 a-372 n, the RX processing circuitry 376, andthe TX processing circuitry 374 in accordance with well-knownprinciples. The controller/processor 378 could support additionalfunctions as well, such as more advanced wireless communicationfunctions. In some embodiments, the controller/processor 378 includes atleast one microprocessor or microcontroller.

The controller/processor 378 is also capable of executing programs andother processes resident in the memory 380, such as an OS. Thecontroller/processor 378 is also capable of supporting channel qualitymeasurement and reporting for systems having 2D antenna arrays asdescribed in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments,the controller/processor 378 supports communications between entities,such as web RTC. The controller/processor 378 can move data into or outof the memory 380 as required by an executing process.

The controller/processor 378 is also coupled to the backhaul or networkinterface 382. The backhaul or network interface 382 allows the gNB 102to communicate with other devices or systems over a backhaul connectionor over a network. The backhaul or network interface 382 could supportcommunications over any suitable wired or wireless connection(s). Forexample, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellularcommunication system (such as one supporting 5G or new radio accesstechnology or NR, LTE, or LTE-A), the backhaul or network interface 382could allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs over a wired orwireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as anaccess point, the backhaul or network interface 382 could allow the gNB102 to communicate over a wired or wireless local area network or over awired or wireless connection to a larger network (such as the Internet).The backhaul or network interface 382 includes any suitable structuresupporting communications over a wired or wireless connection, such asan Ethernet or RF transceiver.

The memory 380 is coupled to the controller/processor 378. Part of thememory 380 could include a RAM, and another part of the memory 380 couldinclude a Flash memory or other ROM. In certain embodiments, a pluralityof instructions, such as a BIS algorithm is stored in memory. Theplurality of instructions are configured to cause thecontroller/processor 378 to perform the BIS process and to decode areceived signal after subtracting out at least one interfering signaldetermined by the BIS algorithm.

As described in more detail below, the transmit and receive paths of thegNB 102 (implemented using the RF transceivers 372 a-372 n, TXprocessing circuitry 374, and/or RX processing circuitry 376) allocateand transmit CSI-RS as well as allocate and receive SRS.

Although FIG. 3B illustrates one example of a gNB 102, various changescan be made to FIG. 3B. For example, the gNB 102 could include anynumber of each component shown in FIG. 3A. As a particular example, anaccess point could include a number of backhaul or network interfaces382, and the controller/processor 378 could support routing functions toroute data between different network addresses. As another particularexample, while shown as including a single instance of TX processingcircuitry 374 and a single instance of RX processing circuitry 376, thegNB 102 could include multiple instances of each (such as one per RFtransceiver).

Rel.13 LTE supports up to 16 CSI-RS antenna ports which enable a gNB tobe equipped with a large number of antenna elements (such as 64 or 128).In this case, a plurality of antenna elements is mapped onto one CSI-RSport. Furthermore, up to 32 CSI-RS ports will be supported in Rel.14LTE. For next generation cellular systems such as 5G, it is expectedthat the maximum number of CSI-RS ports remain more or less the same.

For mmWave bands, although the number of antenna elements can be largerfor a given form factor, the number of CSI-RS ports—which can correspondto the number of digitally precoded ports—tends to be limited due tohardware constraints (such as the feasibility to install a large numberof ADCs/DACs at mmWave frequencies) as illustrated by beamformingarchitecture 400 in FIG. 4. In this case, one CSI-RS port is mapped ontoa large number of antenna elements which can be controlled by a bank ofanalog phase shifters 401. One CSI-RS port can then correspond to onesub-array which produces a narrow analog beam through analog beamforming405. This analog beam can be configured to sweep across a wider range ofangles 420 by varying the phase shifter bank across symbols or subframesor slots (wherein a subframe or a slot comprises a collection of symbolsand/or can comprise a transmission time interval). The number ofsub-arrays (equal to the number of RF chains) is the same as the numberof CSI-RS ports N_(CSI-PORT). A digital beamforming unit 410 performs alinear combination across N_(CSI-PORT) analog beams to further increaseprecoding gain. While analog beams are wideband (hence notfrequency-selective), digital precoding can be varied across frequencysub-bands or resource blocks.

In LTE, depending on the number of transmission layers, a maximum of twocodewords are used for DL and UL data transmissions (on DL data channelsuch as PDSCH or PDCH, and UL data channel such as PUSCH or PUCH,respectively) for spatial multiplexing. For L=1 layer, one codeword ismapped to one layer (711). For L>1 layers, each of the two codewords(CWs) is mapped to at least one layer (712) where L layers (rank-L) aredivided almost evenly across the two codewords (CWs). In addition, onecodeword (CW) can also be mapped to >1 layers especially when only oneof the two codewords (CWs) is to be retransmitted.

Although beneficial for facilitating modulation-and-coding-scheme (MCS)adaptation per codeword (CW) and MMSE-SIC (MMSE with successiveinterference cancellation) receiver, it costs some significant overheadover a single codeword (CW) mapping. DL overhead comes from theadditional DCI payload due to 2 fixed MCS fields and 2 fixed NDI-RV (DLHARQ related) fields. UL overhead comes from the need for two CQIs (full4-bit+delta 3-bit for wideband CQI, and 2× overhead for subband CQI) forrank>1 and two DL HARQ-ACKs for rank>1. Added to that is the complexityof having to accommodate more than one layer-mapping schemes in case ofretransmission. Furthermore, when distributed MIMO such as non-coherentjoint transmission (NC-JT) is incorporated into design requirements for5G NR, the number of codewords (CWs) used for DL and UL transmissionsper UE can increase with the number of TRPs. Therefore, using only oneCW per PDSCH/PUSCH assignment per UE is beneficial for NR, at least forup to rank-4 transmission. Else, two-CW per PDSCH/PUSCH assignment perUE can be used for higher ranks.

Therefore, there is a need for a different design for CQI and itsassociated uplink control information (UCI) multiplexing schemes when asingle codeword (CW) is mapped to all the L>1 transmission layers.

In addition, to accommodate diverse use cases and deployment scenariosfor NR, a single design for CQI (such as a fixed number of bits) islikely sub-optimal. For instance, in many deployment scenarios (such ashomogeneous macro/micro-cell networks), network performance is typicallyinterference-limited just as the case for LTE. However, in some otherscenarios (such as small-cells with interference coordination or COMP),significantly improved geometry distribution can occur (as inter-cellinterference is lessened). In this case, the highest modulation orderassigned for DL transmission is expected to be 256QAM. When inter-cellinterference is lower, the network may also benefit fromhigher-resolution CSI. On the other hand, higher-order QAM modulation isinapplicable for low-cost UEs.

Therefore, there is also a need for a more flexible and configurable CQIdesign which can accommodate various scenarios in NR such as thoseidentified above.

In LTE and NR, the payload of aperiodic CSI (A-CSI) depends on RI and/orCRI for the following reasons. First, codebook sizes can vary with RIwhich can impact the PMI bitwidth. Second, the number of codewords (CWs)can vary with RI. For LTE, one-CW transmission is assumed for RI=1, elsetwo-CW transmission is assumed for RI>1. For NR, one-CW transmission isassumed for RI≤4, else two-CW transmission is assumed for RI>4. Thenumber of CWs corresponds to the number of CQIs. For instance, for onereport per CQI reporting band (“wideband” or “partial band”), one CQI isneeded per CW. Third, if a UE is configured with multiple non-zero-power(NZP) CSI-RS resources and to report CRI, RI/PMI/CQI payload can dependon the value of CRI if the number of ports associated with differentCSI-RS resources varies. Therefore, for LTE, RI/CRI is positioned at adifferent location from PMI/CQI so that it can be decoded first.

For NR, two-part UCI is used wherein the first part includes RI/CRI andCQI for the first CW. For Type II CSI, additional information such asthe number of non-zero amplitude coefficients for the two layers is alsoincluded in the first part. That is, the payload of the first partremains the same given higher-layer configuration whereas the payload ofthe second part varies with RI/CRI. However, there are conditions wherethe payload of the second part does not depend on the content of thefirst part. In such scenarios, the use of two-part UCI can besimplified.

Therefore, there is also a need for a different design for uplinkcontrol information (UCI) multiplexing schemes when the payload of thesecond part does not depend on the content of the first part. Here, UCIincludes reporting parameters associated with CSI acquisition, such asCQI (channel quality indicator), PMI (precoding matrix index), RI (rankindicator), and CRI (CSI-RS resource index/indicator). Other CSIparameters can also be included. Unless otherwise stated, this UCI doesnot include HARQ-ACK. In the present disclosure, this UCI can also bereferred to as CSI-UCI for illustrative purposes.

The present disclosure includes the following components. A firstcomponent of the present disclosure pertains to configurable CQI design.A second component pertains to extending the first component formulti-CW scenarios. A third component pertains to extending the firstand/or the second component for subband reporting (that is, when one CQIis calculated and reported for each subband). A fourth componentpertains to condition(s) wherein a simplified design for UCImultiplexing can be used. A fifth component pertains to UCI multiplexingschemes which can be used to simplify the two-part design when thepayload of the second part does not depend on the content of the firstpart.

Each of these components can be used either by itself (without the othercomponent) or in conjunction with at least one of the other component.Likewise, each of these components includes a plurality ofsub-components. Each of the sub-components can be used either by itself(without any other sub-component) or in conjunction with at least one ofthe other sub-components. For instance, any example embodiment of thefourth component (condition of usage of a UCI multiplexing scheme) canbe combined with any example embodiment of the fifth component (UCImultiplexing scheme).

All the following components and embodiments are applicable for ULtransmission with CP-OFDM (cyclic prefix OFDM) waveform as well asDFT-SOFDM (DFT-spread OFDM) and SC-FDMA (single-carrier FDMA) waveforms.Furthermore, all the following components and embodiments are applicablefor UL transmission when the scheduling unit in time is either onesubframe (which can include one or multiple slots) or one slot, whereinone subframe or slot can comprise a transmission time interval.

In the present disclosure, the frequency resolution (reportinggranularity) and span (reporting bandwidth) of CSI reporting can bedefined in terms of frequency “subbands” and “CSI reporting band” (CRB),respectively.

A subband for CSI reporting is defined as a set of contiguous PRBs whichrepresents the smallest frequency unit for CSI reporting. The number ofPRBs in a subband can be fixed for a given value of DL system bandwidth,configured either semi-statically via higher-layer/RRC signaling, ordynamically via L1 DL control signaling or MAC control element (MAC CE).The number of PRBs in a subband can be included in CSI reportingsetting.

“CSI reporting band” is defined as a set/collection of subbands, eithercontiguous or non-contiguous, wherein CSI reporting is performed. Forexample, CSI reporting band can include all the subbands within the DLsystem bandwidth. This can also be termed “full-band”. Alternatively,CSI reporting band can include only a collection of subbands within theDL system bandwidth. This can also be termed “partial band”.

The term “CSI reporting band” is used only as an example forrepresenting a function. Other terms such as “CSI reporting subband set”or “CSI reporting bandwidth” can also be used.

In terms of UE configuration, a UE can be configured with at least oneCSI reporting band. This configuration can be semi-static (viahigher-layer signaling or RRC) or dynamic (via MAC CE or L1 DL controlsignaling). When configured with multiple (N) CSI reporting bands (e.g.via RRC signaling), a UE can report CSI associated with n≤N CSIreporting bands. For instance, >6 GHz, large system bandwidth mayrequire multiple CSI reporting bands. The value of n can either beconfigured semi-statically (via higher-layer signaling or RRC) ordynamically (via MAC CE or L1 DL control signaling). Alternatively, theUE can report a recommended value of n via an UL channel.

Therefore, CSI parameter frequency granularity can be defined per CSIreporting band as follows. A CSI parameter is configured with “single”reporting for the CSI reporting band with M_(n) subbands when one CSIparameter for all the M_(n) subbands within the CSI reporting band. ACSI parameter is configured with “subband” for the CSI reporting bandwith M_(n) subbands when one CSI parameter is reported for each of theM_(n) subbands within the CSI reporting band.

FIG. 5 illustrates several examples of CSI reporting band configuration.In these examples, one subband includes 4 PRBs. In a first exampleillustrated by band configuration 500, a UE is configured with one CSIreporting band 0 (501) which spans the entire DL system bandwidth(including N_(SB) subbands). In a second example illustrated by bandconfiguration 550, a UE is configured with two CSI reporting bands. Thefirst CSI reporting band 0 (551) includes 3 subbands while the secondCSI reporting band 1 (552) includes 2. For band configuration 550, a UEcan be further configured or requested to report CSI for eitherreporting band (551 or 552) or both. The two reporting bands can beassociated with one common/joint CSI reporting setting or two separateCSI reporting settings. Consequently, the two CSI reporting bands can beassociated with different configurations (such as frequency granularity,periodic/semi-persistent/aperiodic) or different RS settings for CSIacquisition.

For the first component (that is, configurable CQI design), in oneembodiment (I.1), the CQI bit-width (the number of bits per CQI report)can be configured for a UE. Given a set of supported bit-widths {N₀, N₁,. . . , N_(M-1)}, a UE can be configured with an N-bit CQI where N∈{N₀,N₁, . . . , N_(M-1)}. For example, M can be 2 and the set is {4,5}. Oroptionally, M can be 2 and the set is {2, 4}. Or optionally, M can be 3and the set is {2, 4, 5}.

The value of N can be configured semi-statically via higher-layersignaling. Or optionally, it can be configured via MAC control element(CE) signaling or L1 control signaling (via DCI).

The benefit for configurable CQI bit-width is two-fold. First, dependingon use cases and deployment scenarios, a suitable performance-overheadtrade-off can be attained from setting the CQI resolution. For example,as previously discussed, high-resolution CQI is unlikely to offersignificant performance gain in interference-limited scenario. In thiscase, reducing UL control overhead can be done without incurringmeasurable DL throughput loss.

In one sub-embodiment (I.1.1), a given bit-width of N is associated withone (unique) CQI table, i.e. mapping between the 2^(N) code points andCQI values as illustrated in TABLE 1. A CQI value represents a DL linkquality. Some examples include recommended spectral efficiency (inbps/Hz), highest recommended spectral efficiency (in bps/Hz) for a givenset of constraints (such as 10% BLER within a pre-defined orconfigurable observation interval), or asignal-to-noise-interference-ratio (SINR). Spectral efficiency can befurther associated with modulation (e.g. QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM,and/or 1024QAM) and channel coding rate. In the example of TABLE 1, onlythree modulation schemes are used (QPSK, 16QAM, and 64QAM with P₁, P₂,and P₃ code points, respectively). the channel coding rate can beinferred from spectral efficiency divided (normalized) by the number ofbits per symbol associated with the modulation scheme (2 bits/symbol forQPSK, P bits per symbol for 2^(P)-QAM). In this sub-embodiment, there isa one-to-one correspondence between CQI bit-width and a CQI table.Although not necessarily so, the values of spectral efficiencies canincrease monotonically with the code point values. That is,S_(1,0)<S_(1,1)< . . . <S_(1,P) ₁ ₋₁<S_(2,0)<S_(2,1)< . . . <S_(2,P) ₂₋₁<S_(3,0)<S_(3,1)< . . . <S_(3,P) ₃ ₋₁. In this case, channel codingrates for code point 0, P₁, P₁+P₂, and P₁+P₂+P₃ are

$\frac{S_{1,0}}{2},\frac{S_{2,0}}{4},{{and}\mspace{14mu} \frac{S_{3,0}}{6}},$

respectively.

Therefore, in this sub-embodiment, when N distinct bit-widths are used,N distinct CQI tables are supported. From the example in TABLE 1, it isevident instead of using N separately designed/defined CQI tables, the NCQI tables can also be derived from N subsets of one “master” CQI tableif all the spectral efficiency values from each of the N tables aretaken from a common “master” set of spectral efficiency values.

TABLE 1 Code point Spectral efficiency (bps/Hz) Modulation scheme 0S_(1, 0) QPSK . . . . . . . . . P₁ − 1 S_(1, P) ₁ ⁻ ¹ QPSK P₁ S_(2, 0)16QAM . . . . . . . . . P₁ + P₂ − 1 S_(2, P) ₂ ⁻ ¹ 16QAM P₁ + P₂S_(3, 0) 64QAM . . . . . . . . . P₁ + P₂ + P₃ ⁻ ¹ S_(3, P) ₃ ⁻ ¹ 64QAM

For the above examples, different bit-widths can comprise different setsof modulation schemes. For instance, with M=2 and the bit-width set of{4, 5}, a first CQI table can comprise {QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM} while asecond CQI table can comprise {QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM, 1024 QAM}. Oroptionally with M=2 and the bit-width set of {2, 4}, a first CQI tablecan comprise {QPSK} while a second CQI table can comprise {QPSK, 16QAM,64QAM}. Or optionally with M=3 and the bit-width set of {2, 4, 5}, afirst CQI table can comprise {QPSK}, a second CQI table can comprise{QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM}, and a third CQI table can compromise {QPSK, 16QAM,64QAM, 256QAM, 1024 QAM}. If required/target BLER value is used as areference for calculating CQI, different CQI tables associated withdifferent bitwidths (payload sizes) can also be associated withdifferent required/target BLER values. If several target BLER values arepossible, this required/target BLER can be configured, that is, selectedfrom a set of possible values.

In another sub-embodiment (I.1.2), a given bit-width of N can beassociated with one (unique) CQI table (i.e. mapping between the 2^(N)code points and CQI values) or multiple CQI tables. In case of multipleCQI tables for a given bit-width of N, all the associated CQI tables canhave the same number of code points (hypotheses), but the sets ofspectral efficiency values (along with the corresponding modulationschemes) can be different. If required/target BLER value is used as areference for calculating CQI, different CQI tables associated withdifferent bitwidths (payload sizes) can also be associated withdifferent required/target BLER values or the same (single)required/target BLER value. If several target BLER values are possible,this required/target BLER can be configured, that is, selected from aset of possible values.

In a variation of this sub-embodiment, only one bit-width is used (forexample, 4 bits) but multiple CQI tables are associated with this singlebit-width.

For the above embodiments and sub-embodiments, instead of associatingdifferent mapping schemes between code points and spectral efficiencieswith the number of bits (bit-widths), all the applicable mapping schemescan be enumerated as “scheme 1”, “scheme 2”, and so on.

Flowcharts 600 and 610 of FIG. 6 illustrate UE procedures associatedwith the above embodiments wherein receipt of a CQI bit-widthconfiguration (step 601) or CQI table configuration (step 611) anddetermination of the CQI table (or scheme) (steps 602 and 612) determinethe manner in which the N-bit CQI is calculated and reported based onthe CQI table (steps 603 and 613). As described above, the configurationinformation can be signaled dynamically (via L1 control signaling or MACcontrol element) or semi-statically (via higher-layer signaling).

Any of the above embodiments and sub-embodiments can be applied to caseswhere only one CQI is reported. Such cases include, but are not limitedto, CQI reporting associated with single CW transmission hypothesis.

Optionally, any of the above embodiments and sub-embodiments can beapplied to cases where two CQIs are reported in case of two-CWtransmission hypothesis. Here, each of the two CQIs corresponds to oneof two CWs. In this case, the embodiment or sub-embodiment can beapplied to at least one of the two CQIs. For example, when applied onlyto one of the two CQIs, it is used for the CQI associated with the firstof the two CWs (which can be termed the “base CQI”).

For the second component (that is, configurable CQI design extension formulti-CW scenarios), in one embodiment (II.1), when a UE is configuredwith receiving up to two CWs, the UE can report either one CQI or twoCQIs depending on the value of rank indicator (RI). For example, ifone-CW transmission is used for up to 4-layer transmission and two-CWotherwise, the UE reports one CQI (associated with one CW) when RI≤4.Else, the UE reports two CQIs (associated with two CWs) when RI>4.

For this example embodiment, when RI≤4, the single CQI reported by theUE can be defined according to any of the embodiments or sub-embodimentsof component 1. When RI>4, the first CQI reported by the UE can bedefined according to any of the embodiments or sub-embodiments ofcomponent 1. Two example sub-embodiments for the second CQI (for thesecond CW) are given as follows.

In one sub-embodiment (II.1.1), the second CQI reported by the UE can bedefined according to any of the embodiments or sub-embodiments ofcomponent and the second CQI is of the same bit-width as the first CQI.In a variation of this sub-embodiment, the second CQI is of the same CQItable as the first CQI. In another variation of this sub-embodiment, thesecond CQI can be assigned a different CQI table from the first CQIdespite having the same bit-width.

In another sub-embodiment (11.1.2), the second CQI reported by the UE isassigned a smaller bit-width than the one assigned for the first CQI. Inthis case, the second CQI is defined differentially relative to thefirst CQI. In one example, the bit-width difference between the firstCQI and the second CQI is fixed to be A. In that case, if the first CQIis configured with a bit-width of N, the bit-width for the second CQI is(N−Δ). For instance, Δ can be fixed as 1. Or it can be fixed as 2. Inanother example, the bit-width difference Δ between the first CQI andthe second CQI can be configured, either dynamically (via L1 controlsignaling or DCI, or MAC control element) or semi-statically (viahigher-layer or RRC signaling). In this case, A can take one out ofmultiple values (such as 1 or 2).

For this sub-embodiment, with the smaller bit-width for the second CQI(N−Δ), the second CQI can be defined as an increment, decrement, or zeroshift relative to the first CQI. An example is depicted in TABLE 2A and2B where N=4 and Δ=2 (which implies that the bit-width of the second CQIis 4−2=2). CQI₁ and CQI₂ denote the code points associated with thefirst and the second CQI, respectively. The maximum and minimum are usedto ensure that the code point for the second CQI is valid (i.e. from 0to 2^(N)−1). It is assumed that all the code points are fully utilized(i.e. no ‘reserved’ fields).

In a variation of this sub-embodiment, rather than configuring N and A,(which implies bit-width of N and (N−Δ) for the first and second CW,respectively), the bit-width for the first and the second CW can beconfigured directly (for instance, N₁ and N₂ where N₁>N₂).

TABLE 2A differential CQI, example Code point CQI₂ (code point) 0 CQI₁ −1, or max(CQI₁ − 1,) 1 CQI₁ 2 CQI₁ + 1, or min(CQI₁ + 1,^(N) − 1) 3CQI₁ + 2, or min(CQI₁ + 1,^(N) − 1)

TABLE 2B differential CQI, example Code point CQI₂ (code point) 0 CQI₁ −2, or max(CQI₁ − 1,) 1 CQI₁ − 1, or max(CQI₁ − 1,) 2 CQI₁ 3 CQI₁ + 1, ormin(CQI₁ + 1,^(N) − 1)

In this sub-embodiment, CQI feedback overhead can be reduced.

For the above embodiments and sub-embodiments, instead of associatingdifferent mapping schemes between code points and spectral efficiencieswith the number of bits (bit-widths), all the applicable mapping schemescan be enumerated as “scheme 1”, “scheme 2”, and so on.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for example UE procedure 700 forsub-embodiment II.1.2. In this example, the bit-width configuration forthe first and second CW CQIs is received (step 701). The UE thendetermines the first CW “base” CQI table from bit-width N1 and second CW“differential” CQI table from bit-width N2 (step 702) and calculates theRI (step 703). Thereafter, for RI≤4, the UE calculates and reports theN1-bit first CW CQI based on “base” CQI table (step 704); and for RI>4,the UE calculates and reports the N1-bit first CW CQI based on “base”CQI table and the N2-bit second CW CQI based on “differential” CQI table(step 705). In other words, it is also assumed that 1-CW transmissionhypothesis is associated with whereas 2-CW transmission hypothesis isassociated with RI>4.

For the third component (that is, configurable CQI design extension forsubband reporting), embodiments in component 1 and 2 are applicable inscenarios where wideband or partial band CQI is reported (that is, oneCQI is reported for all the subbands within the configured reportingband—previously described). When subband CQI is reported (that is, oneCQI is reported for each of the subbands within the configured reportingband), extension to embodiments in component 2 can be used. Thisextension applies whether one- or two-CW hypothesis is used.

In one embodiment (III.1), when a UE is configured with subband CQIreporting and one-CW hypothesis is used, the CQI reported by the UE foreach subband can be defined according to any of the embodiments orsub-embodiments of component 1. In this case, when the reporting bandincludes N_(SB) subbands, N_(SB) CQIs are reported wherein all theseCQIs are associated with a same bit-width and a same CQI table (cf.TABLE 1).

In another embodiment (III.2), when a UE is configured with subband CQIreporting and one-CW hypothesis is used, the CQI reported by the UE foreach subband can be defined as given in the following examples.

In one example (III.2.1), when the reporting band includes N_(SB)subbands, N_(SB) CQIs are reported wherein one of the CQIs isdefined/reported just as in component 1 (“full” CQI) while the other(N_(SB)−1) CQIs are defined/reported as differential CQIs (withbit-width of (N−Δ) following component 2).

In another example (III.2.2), when the reporting band includes N_(SB)subbands, N_(SB) CQIs are reported wherein these CQIs aredefined/reported as differential CQIs (with bit-width of (N−Δ) followingcomponent 2) relative to a reference CQI. The reference CQI can be thesingle CQI which represents all the subbands within the CQI reportingband (that is, wideband CQI or partial band CQI). Therefore, a total of(N_(SB)+1) values are reported.

In another embodiment (III.3), when a UE is configured with subband CQIreporting, the reporting band includes N_(SB) subbands, and two-CWhypothesis is used, the CQI reported by the UE for each subband can bedefined as given in the following examples.

In one example (III.3.1), the set of N_(SB) CQIs (III.2.1) or (N_(SB)+1)CQIs (III.2.2) for the first CW and the second CW are assigned the samedefinition, bit-width, and CQI table.

In another example (III.3.2), the reference CQI for the second CW isdefined as a differential CQI relative to the reference CQI for thefirst CW following any of the embodiments in component 2. This referenceCQI can be a designated CQI (III.2.1) or a single CQI calculated for allthe subbands within the CQI reporting band (III.2.2).

The fourth component (that is, UCI multiplexing) entails a condition forutilizing an optional UCI multiplexing scheme (e.g. one of the schemesin component 2 below) instead of the two-part UCI scheme currentlysupported for NR as described above. That is, if the condition isfulfilled, the optional scheme (e.g. one of the schemes in component 2below) is used. Otherwise, the two-part UCI scheme currently supportedfor NR is used.

In one example embodiment (IV.1), the condition includes the UEconfigured not to report (or, not configured to report) RI. This cancorrespond to other condition(s) such as the maximum number of layers isconfigured as one, or rank restriction to only one RI value isconfigured, etc.

In another example embodiment (IV.2), the condition includes the UEconfigured not to report (or, not configured to report) CRI. This cancorrespond to other condition(s) such as the number of configured NZPCSI-RS resources is 1.

In another example embodiment (IV.3), the condition includes the UEconfigured to report RI with a maximum of no more than 4. This cancorrespond to other condition(s) such as the UE configured to receive amaximum of 4 layers. In a variation of this embodiment, the UE can beconfigured with a rank restriction with at least two RI values where thelargest RI value is ≤4. In this case, (in case of subband reporting)only one CQI per subband or, (in case of a single report per CQIreporting band) only one CQI report per CQI reporting band) is reported.Therefore, CQI payload does not depend on RI.

In another example embodiment (IV.4), the condition includes the UEconfigured for reporting CRI but the number of CSI-RS ports for all theconfigured NZP CSI-RS resources is the same. Therefore, CQI/PMI payloadremains the same as CRI changes.

In another example embodiment (IV.5), the condition includes the UEconfigured not to report (or, not configured to report) PMI. Therefore,only CQI (possibly along with RI and/or CRI) is reported. If thiscondition is used together with at least one of the previous fourembodiments (for instance, embodiment 1.3), the resulting CQI payloadcan remain the same.

In another example embodiment (IV.6), the condition includes the payloadof at least CQI and/or PMI. For example, the total payload of CQI/PMI isbelow a certain (pre-determined or higher-layer configured) value.

In another example embodiment (IV.7), the condition includes thefrequency granularity of CSI reporting. For example, the UE isconfigured with one report for all the subbands in the CQI reportingband (that is, either “wideband” or “partial band” reporting).

In another example embodiment (IV.8), the condition includes the numberof A-CSI reports triggered/requested. This number can correspond to thenumber of component carriers (CCs), cells, panels, and/ortransmit-receive points (TRPs). If the number is 1, or smaller than acertain (pre-determined or higher-layer configured) value, a UCImultiplexing scheme in component 2 is used instead of the currentlysupported one as described above.

Any two or more of the above example embodiments can be combined (with“and” or “or”) to derive another example embodiment on usage conditionfor a UCI multiplexing scheme in component 5.

For the fifth component (that is, one-part UCI multiplexing), aspreviously described, any example embodiment of the first component(condition of usage of a UCI mapping or multiplexing scheme) can becombined with any example embodiment of the second component (optionalUCI mapping or multiplexing scheme). This can be illustrated in diagram800 of FIG. 8. The “two-part UCI mapping” (at step 802) signifies thecurrently supported two-part mapping. This is used when a condition(determined at step 801) is not fulfilled. Else, the “optional UCImapping” (at step 803) is used.

It should be noted that, if the UE is configured to report both CRI andRI, the value of CRI can affect the possible set of RI values (hence thenumber of bits needed to signal RI) if different NZP CSI-RS resourcesare configured with different number of ports. Since both CRI and RI aremultiplexed in the same part/segment in either of the twomapping/multiplexing schemes, the combined payload of CRI and RI needsto be kept the same. A solution to this issue is to set the number ofbits (payload) for RI to correspond to the CSI-RS resource with thelargest number of ports. Optionally, the number of bits (payload) for RIcan be set according to the maximum number of DL layers the UE canreceive. Optionally, rank restriction can be used. Any combination ofthese solutions can also apply.

Several example embodiments for the optional UCI mapping or multiplexingscheme (step 803) can be described as follows.

In one example embodiment (V.1), one-part UCI can be used instead oftwo-part UCI for A-CSI reporting on PUSCH. FIGS. 9A-E describe severalexample embodiments wherein different combinations of CSI parameters arereported. For example, in diagram 900, the UE is configured to reporteach of CRI, RI, CQI, and PMI. In diagram 910 and 930, the UE isconfigured not to report (or, is not configured to report) CRI whereasin 920 and 930 the UE is configured not to report (or, is not configuredto report) RI. In diagram 940, the UE is configured not to report PMI.

In a variation of this embodiment, the total payload of this one-partreporting/UCI multiplexing remains the same for a given higher-layerconfiguration. In another variation of this embodiment, when RI and/orCRI are reported, the total payload of this one-partreporting/multiplexing can vary depending on the value of CRI and/or RI(if the UE is configured to report either CRI or RI or both). In thiscase, padding bits can be used to keep the payload the same regardlessof the value of CRI and/or RI.

For this one-part mapping/multiplexing, the UCI mapping on PUSCH canfollow that for part 1 of the current supported two-part scheme.Optionally, the UCI mapping on PUSCH can follow that for part 2 of thecurrent supported two-part scheme.

In another example embodiment (V.2), the same two-part solution as theone currently supported is used except that the payload of part 2 iskept the same for a given RRC configuration. If the payload for part 2can vary depending on the value of CRI and/or RI (if the UE isconfigured to report either CRI or RI or both), padding bits can be usedto keep the payload the same regardless of the value of CRI and/or RI.

Any of the above variation embodiments can be utilized independently orin combination with at least one other variation embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart for an example method 1000 wherein a UEreceives and decodes CSI reporting configuration information accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the method 1000can be performed by the UE 116.

The method 1000 begins with the UE receiving and decoding configurationinformation for a channel state information (CSI) reporting (step 1001).The configuration information includes a CQI table selection and atarget block error rate (BLER). Following successful decoding of the CSIreporting configuration information, the UE calculates (step 1002) andtransmits the CSI (step 1003) that includes a channel quality indicator(CQI). The CQI table can be selected from a plurality of tables and atleast two tables are associated with a same CQI payload size and twodifferent sets of modulation-and-coding schemes (MCSs). Here, MCSrepresents a combination of modulation scheme (such as BPSK, QPSK,16QAM, 64QAM, and/or 256-QAM) and channel coding rate. Optionally, theCQI table can be selected from a plurality of tables and at least twotables are associated with two different CQI payload sizes.

The at least two tables can be associated with different BLER targets(such as 0.1 or lower for delay-sensitive/URLLC use cases) and one ofthe payload sizes can be 4 bits.

When calculating and reporting CQI for two-CW transmission, a first CQIis reported when a reported rank indicator (RI) value is 4 or less. Inaddition, a second CQI is reported when a reported RI value is greaterthan 4, and the second CQI is of a same payload size as the first CQI.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for an example method 1100 wherein a BSgenerates CSI reporting configuration information for a UE (labeled asUE-k) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example,the method 1100 can be performed by the BS 102.

The method 1100 begins with the BS generating (step 1101) andtransmitting (step 1102) configuration information for channel stateinformation (CSI) reporting for a UE (labelled UE-k). The configurationinformation includes a CQI table selection and a target block error rate(BLER). Subsequently, the BS receives, from UE-k, a CSI report (step1103) that includes a channel quality indicator (CQI). The CQI table canbe selected from a plurality of tables and at least two tables areassociated with a same CQI payload size and two different sets ofmodulation-and-coding schemes (MCSs). Here, MCS represents a combinationof modulation scheme (such as BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, and/or 256-QAM)and channel coding rate. Optionally, the CQI table can be selected froma plurality of tables and at least two tables are associated with twodifferent CQI payload sizes.

The at least two tables can be associated with different BLER targets(such as 0.1 or lower for delay-sensitive/URLLC use cases) and one ofthe payload sizes can be 4 bits.

When calculating and reporting CQI for two-CW transmission, a first CQIis reported when a reported rank indicator (RI) value is 4 or less. Inaddition, a second CQI is reported when a reported RI value is greaterthan 4, and the second CQI is of a same payload size as the first CQI.

Although FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate examples of methods for receivingconfiguration information and configuring a UE, respectively, variouschanges could be made to FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, while shown as aseries of steps, various steps in each figure could overlap, occur inparallel, occur in a different order, occur multiple times, or not beperformed in one or more embodiments.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exampleembodiment, various changes and modifications can be suggested by or toone skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosureencompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a transceiver configured to receiveconfiguration information for reporting channel state information (CSI);and a processor operably connected to the transceiver, the processorconfigured to decode the configuration information and calculate theCSI, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the CSIincluding a channel quality indicator (CQI), and wherein: theconfiguration information includes a selection of a CQI table associatedwith a target block error rate (BLER), a first CQI is reported when areported rank indicator (RI) value is 4 or less, when the reported RIvalue is greater than 4, the first CQI and a second CQI are reported,and the second CQI is of a same payload size as that of the first CQI.2. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the CQI table is selected from aplurality of tables, and at least two of the tables are associated witha same CQI payload size and different sets of modulation-and-codingschemes (MCSs), respectively.
 3. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the CQItable is selected from a plurality of tables, and at least two of thetables are associated with different CQI payload sizes.
 4. The UE ofclaim 3, wherein the at least two tables are associated with differentBLER targets.
 5. The UE of claim 4, wherein one of the payload sizes is4 bits.
 6. A base station (BS) comprising: a processor configured togenerate configuration information for a channel state information (CSI)reporting; and a transceiver operably connected to the processor, thetransceiver configured to: transmit, to a UE, the configurationinformation; and receive, from the UE, a CSI report that includes achannel quality indicator (CQI), wherein: the configuration informationincludes a selection of a CQI table associated with a target block errorrate (BLER), a first CQI is reported when a reported rank indicator (RI)value is 4 or less, when the reported RI value is greater than 4, thefirst CQI and a second CQI are reported, and the second CQI is of a samepayload size as that of the first CQL.
 7. The BS of claim 6, wherein:the CQI table is selected from a plurality of tables, and at least twoof the tables are associated with a same CQI payload size and differentsets of modulation-and-coding schemes (MCSs), respectively.
 8. The BS ofclaim 6, wherein: the CQI table is selected from a plurality of tables,and at least two of the tables are associated with different CQI payloadsizes.
 9. The BS of claim 8, wherein the at least two tables areassociated with different BLER targets.
 10. The BS of claim 9, whereinone of the payload sizes is 4 bits.
 11. A method for operating a userequipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving and decodingconfiguration information for reporting channel state information (CSI);and calculating and transmitting the CSI including a channel qualityindicator (CQI); wherein: the configuration information includes aselection of a CQI table associated with a target block error rate(BLER), a first CQI is reported when a reported rank indicator (RI)value is 4 or less, when the reported RI value is greater than 4, thefirst CQI and a second CQI are reported, and the second CQI is of a samepayload size as that of the first CQI.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein: the CQI table is selected from a plurality of tables, and atleast two of the tables are associated with a same CQI payload size anddifferent sets of modulation-and-coding schemes (MCSs), respectively.13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the CQI table is selected from aplurality of tables, and at least two of the tables are associated withdifferent CQI payload sizes.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the atleast two tables are associated with different BLER targets.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein one of the payload sizes is 4 bits.